Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
are being retrieved
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "are being retrieved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where data or information is currently in the process of being obtained or fetched. Example: "The files you requested are being retrieved from the server and should be available shortly."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(19)
are being recovered
are being obtained
are being accessed
are being restored
are being collected
are being drawn
are being revived
are being rediscovered
are being revisited
are being discovered
are being diverted
are being received
are being retired
are being relieved
are being reverted
are being removed
are being reclaimed
are being recaptured
have been recaptured
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
7 human-written examples
Still others are being retrieved by their parents.
News & Media
As historians round out the story of America's stumbling march toward civil rights, however, such incidents are being retrieved and examined.
News & Media
Perhaps the pervading inertia is deliberate, a means of signalling that these events are being retrieved from the recesses of Vere's fading memory, but that seems doubtful.
News & Media
The disproportionate impairment, which emerged in reading the verb component of nominal VN compounds, indicates that the grammatical properties of constituents are being retrieved, and thus confirms access to the constituent lemma-nodes.
Science
Only corpses are being retrieved, and ambulances are taking them to the over-crowded mortuary.
News & Media
We hence conclude that the Authority Effect applies to GF searches when the reference structures are structurally quite similar; when this is not the case, it is applicable when relatively small numbers of reference structures are used, i.e., when meaningful numbers of molecules are being retrieved in all of the searches.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
53 human-written examples
In the first two panels, the phagosome membrane is surrounded by a cloud of VatM-GFP-positive vesicles as the V-ATPase is being retrieved; the vigorous dynamics that characterize the retrieval stage are evident in Movie S7.
Science
The plane was relatively intact and bodies were being retrieved from within the aircraft.
News & Media
Data that might shed some light was being retrieved from the damaged flight recorder.
News & Media
They worked the day on a bucket brigade, handing down whatever was being retrieved from the pile.
News & Media
"They ended up in Newsday one year," whispered one of the women, explaining why the paper packets were being retrieved even with the performance still in progress.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "are being retrieved" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the retrieval process, suggesting that it is currently happening and possibly incomplete.
Common error
While "are being retrieved" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider whether an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "are being retrieved" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It indicates that the subject is receiving the action of retrieval, rather than performing it. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.
Frequent in
News & Media
30%
Science
30%
Wiki
20%
Less common in
Academia
10%
Formal & Business
5%
Encyclopedias
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "are being retrieved" is a grammatically sound passive voice construction used to describe an ongoing process of recovery or attainment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is frequently encountered in diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While generally neutral in register, writers should be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice. When choosing an alternative, consider the nuances of phrases like "are being recovered" or "are being obtained" for greater precision. This phrase indicates a process happening in the present.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
are being recovered
Emphasizes the process of getting something back after it was lost or damaged, often implying difficulty or effort.
are being restored
Focuses on returning something to its original condition or state, often used in the context of data or systems.
are being obtained
Highlights the process of acquiring or gaining access to something, often data or information.
are being accessed
Indicates that something is being accessed or accessed by someone or something.
are being extracted
Implies that something is being carefully removed or separated from something else.
are being collected
Focuses on the process of gathering items or information together.
are being gathered
Similar to collected but may imply a more casual or less organized process.
are being brought back
Emphasizes the return of something to a previous location or state.
are being fetched
Suggests that something is being retrieved from a remote location, especially data.
are being drawn
Implies that something is being pulled or extracted out from something else.
FAQs
How to use "are being retrieved" in a sentence?
You can use "are being retrieved" to describe a process where data, objects, or information is currently in the process of being recovered or obtained. For example: "The lost files "are being retrieved" from the backup server".
What can I say instead of "are being retrieved"?
You can use alternatives like "are being recovered", "are being obtained", or "are being accessed" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "are being retrieved" or "were being retrieved"?
"Are being retrieved" indicates a process happening in the present, while "were being retrieved" refers to a process that was happening in the past. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the event.
What is the difference between "are being retrieved" and "are retrieved"?
"Are being retrieved" indicates an ongoing process, emphasizing that the retrieval is currently happening. "Are retrieved" is a simple present passive construction indicating something gets retrieved in general.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested